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<br />Fish and Wildlife Service <br /> <br />o <br />-..J <br />Jo-.... <br />1-" <br /> <br />The Council supports the continued coordination between the FWS, Reclamation, USDA <br />and EPA in addressing the issue of fish and wildlife habitat values foregone. The Council <br />expresses its appreciation for the coordination by the FWS and SCS in addressing the Council's <br />concerns. The Council understands that with respect to the Price-San Rafael Rivers Unit, that <br />FWS will issue a non-jeopardy biological opinion on the unit with the proviso that no <br />implementation will take place until resolution is reached on the payment of the depletion <br />charge, thus permitting completion of the EIS. <br /> <br />U.S. Geological Survey <br /> <br />The Council believes that it is a federal obligation to provide the hydrologic and water <br />quality data and interpretive studies required to carry out the objectives of the salinity control <br />program. The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) role is to provide information and interpretive <br />studies of water resources on a regional and national level. Operation of many of the monitoring <br />stations is cost shared with the Basin states. The USGS continues to cooperate with <br />Reclamation, USDA and BLM on site-specific assessments of salinity control measures. The <br />Council commends the USGS for its coordination and support role in salinity control activities. <br />Of continuing interest is work being done on the investigation of sources of selenium <br />contamination in the Colorado River Basin and the joint effort of USGS with Reclamation to <br />develop an implementation plan for control of the selenium contributions. <br /> <br />Department of Agriculture <br /> <br />In each of the USDA's five salinity project areas, where the program is now being <br />implemented, a significant number of land owners are awaiting technical assistance and cost- <br />share funds in order to proceed with implementation. Land owners already in the program are <br />demonstrating their willingness to proceed by installing salinity reduction practices. This <br />effective USDA program is being severely curtailed because of inadequate funding. The Council <br />urges the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) to diligently pursue <br />adequate Colorado River Salinity Control (CRSC) line item funding to assure that program <br />implementation schedules are met. <br /> <br />Uinta Basin Unit. The Council continues to be impressed with the excellent progress <br />in implementing the USDA onfarm program, as well as the outstanding working relationship <br />between individual land owners and USDA personnel. <br /> <br />Bie: Sandy River Unit. The Council appreciates the efforts of ASCS to approve waivers <br />for individual contracts to exceed the $100,000 limitation. This action is critical for the salt load <br />reduction goals to be achieved in this area. The Council further urges ASCS to implement a <br />procedure to expeditiously process requests for waivers in order that implementation can rapidly <br />proceed. <br /> <br />5 <br /> <br />,L <br />